Crocus Tip

Introducing Crocus

climbing French bean 'Cobra'

French bean

20% off Selected Vegetable Seeds

approx 50 seeds
£1.99
£1.59

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within 2-3 days (exc weekends)

Position: full sun

Soil: humus-rich, moisture retentive soil

One of the most reliable French beans around and a prolific cropper, producing heavy yields of long, straight sweetly-flavoured beans over a long period. A vigorous climber, it quickly clambers to the top of poles and starts producing beans ahead of most other varieties. The pale violet flowers make it pretty enough to grow in the ornamental garden, too.

Growing Instructions: Sow three seeds to a 15cm pot in mid-April and keep well watered and warm until germination. Keep seedlings in a frost-free greenhouse or on a windowsill, potting them on as they grow, and once all threat of frost has passed harden off gradually before planting out. Protect young plants from slugs and support with hazel wigwams or trellis. Pick French beans very regularly to keep the harvest coming: if beans are left on the plant to mature it will stop producing new ones.

yellow bean 'Cornetti Meraviglia di Venezia'

bean - climbing yellow

If you just want to grow a few vegetables or have suffered losses with early sowings, buying plants is a great way to play catch-up. Buying plants also allows you to grow vegetables if you do not have the facilities to raise them from seed yourself or whe

If you do nothing else...water new plants. Make sure new additions do not suffer during dry spells. Plant up summer containers bedding once the threat of frosts has passed. Feed container plants about six weeks after planting. If it’s a nice day...trim he

To get the best crops you need to make sure that they grow evenly which means ensuring they do not go short of water. Water thoroughly once a week applying about 20 litres per square metre rather than watering lightly more often. Some vegetables such as b

Once you start picking vegetables, such as runner beans and courgettes, keeping picking them regularly throughout the summer to ensure a continuous supply. Even the cropping period of French beans can be extended by harvesting regularly. Pick beans once a